The Boat

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Situation

The harbor of Funchal is overfull, with 47 boats on the waiting list. There are a lot of MT boats, and boats that work with tourists.
For our «Ribeira Brava» we chose the harbor of Calheta further to the west of the south coast.

Calheta is a small village at the south coast, not far to the west. It is one of the sunniest places in Madeira and near to the harbor there is a large, nice beach with yellow sand.

Guests from Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Brava, but as well from the villages more to the west of the island such as Jardim do Mar, Prazeres or Paul do Mar will get there easily by their own car, taxi or by bus (Rodoeste).

If weather permits, passengers may also embark our boat from the fishing harbor at Paul do Mar or in the new marina of Lugar de Baixo.

For passengers from Funchal we will organize a transfer to Calheta and back.

History

In September 1964 the «Ribeira Brava» was built in Machico. It became a boat to catch tuna and «espada preta» in Calheta and later on in Camara de Lobos. After 37 years, exactly, in 2001 it was ordered to be thrown away. At that time and with impending fate of this charming relic from the past, Rafael Gomes had a plan and bought the old, broken boat. He had been familiar with the old vessel during his childhood, one of the less typical «chavelha» boats, which existed here on the island. He bought it for its sentimental value and was challenged to restore it back to its former glory. «These old boats disappear with time and with them the knowledge of their construction, further more, the typical culture and reverie of the old fishermen disappears too.»

It was only around 50 or so years ago, that all around the island in the various harbors and out on the sea, you could admire the boats with their sails in form of trapezes. Today they are all gone. Our «Ribeira Brava» is the only boat on Madeira with this typical sail, still in operation today. Sometimes we can use it, but of course it needs the right kind of winds.

The crew

Rafael Gomes, was born in1960 in Funchal, he lovingly restored the «Ribeira Brava» on his own which took him three years to complete and is now the new captain.
He speaks fluent German and Portuguese and is familiar with French and English. He likes orchids, is a philosopher and works with wood and metal. He loves the sea and fishing.

Senhor Luis, was born in Camara de Lobos and has more than 50 years experience on the sea around Madeira island. His well trained attentive eye won’t let any thing pass by him and he’s one of a few men who know how to sail in the old fashioned way.

Filipe Bettencourt, was born 1980 in Calheta and is working as skipper on several boats. He speaks very good English and of course, Portuguese. At the age of 12, he began to sail and now he works on the «Ribeira Brava» and for the Nautical School.

Claudia Gomes, was born in Cologne, since 1993 she has lived with her family on Madeira. Her role, as well as supporting her husband Rafael, is in organization, bookings and contacts, sometimes her experience is called upon to be 2^nd Skipper! She speaks German, English and Portuguese. Whales and Dolphins became her special love.